Oilers News

2014 Draft Class: Brendan Perlini

Brendan Perlini is a 6-foot-3, 205 pound winger for the Niagara IceDogs of the OHL. This season he blossomed into one of the top prospects in the upcoming NHL draft.

Hockey pedigree is something Perlini has on his side.

He’s the son of long-time international standout Fred Perlini, who played for the Toronto Maple Leafs at one point in his career. Eventually, Fred’s playing career brought him to the British Hockey League. Brendan was born in Guildford, England. It’s a unique story.

“My dad grew up and played in the OHL and played professional for the Leafs,” Perlini said. “Funny enough, at the end of his career, he ended up in England and that’s where I was born and raised. It’s kind of a weird start as not really too normal but I think my time over there was pretty cool and I’ve definitely sort of added that international experience to my game. I’m kind of grateful for that.”

Perlini’s family has been a driving force behind his hockey career, which has culminated in a top-10 ranking amongst North American skaters by the NHL’s Central Scouting.

“My parents and brother have done everything for me. I can’t really thank them enough. To move an ocean away and then another country to Detroit, it was kind of a weird start and I really can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for me.”

His brother Brett Perlini played at Michigan State and was drafted by Anaheim in 2010 (192nd overall).

He’s been around hockey his whole life. Maybe that’s why he’s a natural.

Perlini finished the 2013-14 season with 71 points (34-37-71) in 58 games for Niagara.

The Hockey News quoted a scout as saying, “He has that knack that only a few other players in this draft have, and that’s to get to positions where you can be dangerous.”

Perlini projects to be a goal scorer. It’s a role he’s used to as he connected 34 times this season with Niagara.